Head-to-head reliability
Pontiac Aztek vs FORD F 150
How the Pontiac Aztek and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Pontiac Aztek vs FORD F 150: The Aztek averages 100 complaints per year, with fuel leaks and electrical shutdowns posing safety risks. The F-150 averages 1,131 complaints yearly, mainly for harsh transmission shifts. While the F-150 has more complaints, its issues are less likely to cause sudden breakdowns. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Pontiac Aztek or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Pontiac Aztek
The Pontiac Aztek, a compact crossover from the early 2000s, shows a reliability profile dominated by electrical gremlins and fuel system concerns. Owners report sudden shutdowns, non-responsive dashboards, and persistent fuel odors, alongside engine cooling issues like blown head gaskets at relatively low mileage. Brake system failures, including pedal travel to the floor and ABS malfunctions, add to the list of worries. With an average of about 100 complaints per year, the Aztek demands a buyer's attention to its known trouble spots.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150, a full-size pickup, has a much higher complaint volume, averaging over 1,100 per year, but this is partly due to its popularity and long production run. The most frequent issues revolve around the powertrain, particularly the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as shifting hard, jerking, or even causing sudden power loss. Electrical problems, such as camera and sensor malfunctions, also appear regularly. Despite the high numbers, the F-150's issues are more about component failures than systemic safety defects, though the transmission behavior can be alarming.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Pontiac Aztek | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 603 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 29 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 100.5 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 34 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Pontiac Aztek
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM113
- 02FUEL SYSTEM102
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING84
- 04SERVICE BRAKES83
- 05GASOLINE83
Owners report complete vehicle shutdowns while driving, inability to restart, and failures of the radio, dash lights, and hazard lights. These electrical gremlins can leave you stranded and are often intermittent, making them hard to diagnose.
A strong fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle is a common complaint, sometimes traced to a fractured weld in the fuel line that causes fuel to spill during refueling. This poses a fire risk and requires immediate attention.
The 3.4L V6 engine is prone to blown head gaskets, even at low mileage like 36,000, leading to expensive repairs (quoted around $1,100) and potential overheating.
Brake pedal can travel to the floor due to fluid loss, and the ABS system may fail to respond during abrupt stops, increasing the risk of collisions. These are critical safety issues.
“I WAS LEAVING SCHOOL AND I STARTED TO SMELL GAS, SO I STOPPED AND CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY LEAKING AND THERE WASN'T. A WEEK HAD WENT BY AND I DIDN'T SMELL THE GAS ANYMORE BUT MY RADIO AND DASH LIGHTS HAD QUIT WORKING. SO I HAD THE FUSES CHANGED AND THE…”
“I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 PONTIAC AZTEK ON JULY 1, 2005. SEVEN DAYS LATER, WITH 611 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD. I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, TURN ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS, OR EVEN REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. WH…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10-speed automatic transmission is a major sore point, with owners experiencing hard and delayed shifts, jerking, clunking, and even sudden power loss while driving. This can be both uncomfortable and dangerous in traffic.
Warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist not available appear on the dash, indicating sensor or software issues that may disable safety features.
Headlight problems are common, which can reduce visibility at night and increase the risk of accidents.
Engine-related complaints, while less frequent than transmission issues, still contribute to the overall reliability concerns, with some owners reporting stalling or other performance problems.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Pontiac Aztek — 18 recalls
The defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
The defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION ON IGNITION RELAY CONTACTS CAN CAUSE HIGH RESISTANCE. THIS CAN AFFECT SIGNALS TO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND, COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY TIME.
The risk: THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, IT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION RELAY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 AND BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080.
The defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
The defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
Pontiac Aztek or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Pontiac Aztek has fewer complaints per year (about 100) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100), but the Aztek's issues are more likely to be safety-critical, such as fuel leaks and brake failures. The F-150's transmission problems are serious but more predictable and often covered under warranty or recalls. In practice, the Aztek may be cheaper to buy but could cost more in repairs and pose greater safety risks.
Key differences
- The Aztek has a higher proportion of fuel system complaints, including fuel odors and leaks, which are a fire hazard, whereas the F-150's top issue is transmission harshness and power loss.
- Electrical failures in the Aztek can cause complete shutdowns, while F-150 electrical issues are more about warning lights and sensor malfunctions.
- Brake failures in the Aztek are more severe, with pedal going to the floor, while F-150 brakes are not a top complaint.
- The F-150 has a much higher complaint volume, but that's partly due to its popularity; the Aztek's lower volume doesn't mean it's more reliable, just less common.
- Inspect the fuel lines and tank for any signs of corrosion or leaks, and check for a fuel odor inside the cabin.
- Test all electrical components, including lights, radio, and ignition, and be wary of any intermittent failures.
- Take a thorough test drive to feel for any hard shifts, jerks, or clunks from the transmission, especially between 4th and 8th gears.
- Check the dashboard for any warning lights related to the camera or pre-collision system, and have the battery and charging system tested.
Before you buy
- Have a mechanic inspect the Aztek's head gasket and cooling system for signs of failure.
- For the F-150, check the transmission fluid condition and service history, and look for any open recalls.
- Ask for service records on both vehicles, especially for any previous repairs to the fuel system (Aztek) or transmission (F-150).
- Test the ABS and brakes on the Aztek at low speed to ensure they respond properly.
- For the F-150, verify that all exterior lights, including headlights, are working and not dim or flickering.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Pontiac Aztek or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Pontiac Aztek vs FORD F 150
- Pontiac Aztek total complaints
- 603
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Pontiac Aztek total recalls
- 18
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Pontiac Aztek avg complaints/year
- 100.5
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Pontiac Aztek
- Pontiac Aztek top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN